Why Birth to 5 Matters should be essential reading for every early years trainee

If you are training to work in the early years, Birth to 5 Matters is an essential document to get to know.

It is more than a resource for assignments. It helps us understand how children’s development, relationships, wellbeing, rights and learning connect to effective early years practice.

And now there is even more reason to read it. In July 2026, the Early Years Coalition launched the second, updated and expanded edition of Birth to 5 Matters.

Why is Birth to 5 Matters so valuable?

One of its greatest strengths is that it puts the child at the centre.

It encourages us to look at the whole child and to think beyond activities and outcomes. Instead, we are encouraged to ask:

What do I know about this child? What are they communicating? What are they interested in? How can I support their learning and development?

These are fundamental questions for anyone entering the early years profession.

Birth to 5 Matters is also helpful in making sense of the EYFS. It is non-statutory guidance, not a checklist or programme to follow. It supports practitioners to use their knowledge, observations and professional judgement to provide meaningful experiences for individual children.

For trainees, it provides a valuable bridge between theory and practice. Developmental information, examples of practice and research can help students connect what they learn in their course with what they see every day in an early years setting.

It also encourages reflective practice. Rather than telling practitioners exactly what to do, it encourages us to be curious about children’s behaviour, interests, development and experiences — and to reflect on how our own interactions, environments and decisions can support them.

What’s new in the second edition?

The original Birth to 5 Matters, published in 2021, quickly became a widely valued resource across the sector. The new edition has been developed following extensive consultation and the involvement of 23 specialist working groups.

The intention has been to keep what practitioners valued while updating the guidance to reflect developments in research, practice and society.

There are several important additions.

A stronger focus on babies

The new edition gives greater attention to babies and the birth-to-two period, recognising the importance of relationships, communication, care and development during these crucial early years.

For anyone training to work with young children, developing a strong understanding of babies is essential.

Digital pedagogy

The updated document includes a new section on digital pedagogy.

Children are growing up in a digital world, so practitioners need to understand how technology forms part of children’s experiences and how we can support children to engage with it thoughtfully and appropriately.

Sustainability

There is also new content around sustainability, including supporting children to develop a connection with the natural world and become advocates for a more sustainable future.

Everyday experiences such as exploring nature, caring for living things and learning about our environment can provide meaningful opportunities for learning.

Reception and beyond

The new edition also expands its focus to Reception and beyond, recognising that children’s development doesn’t suddenly change when they reach five.

The guidance provides additional support around continuity into Key Stage 1 and includes guidance for primary school leaders and headteachers.

This is particularly useful for trainees as it encourages us to think about transition as a process and to value continuity in children’s experiences.

And it’s not just the document that has changed

The Birth to 5 Matters website has also been updated, with improved navigation and an expanded collection of free resources. The printed document includes QR codes linking to additional research and resources.

This makes it an even more useful tool for students and trainees.

Rather than reading it once and putting it away, we can return to it throughout our training — using it alongside observations, assignments, discussions and experiences in practice.

An essential read

Birth to 5 Matters shouldn’t be something we read simply because we have been told to.

It is valuable because it helps us develop professional understanding and professional curiosity.

Read it alongside your course. Discuss it with your tutor or mentor. Use it when reflecting on children and your own practice.

And don’t just ask:

“What does Birth to 5 Matters say?”

Ask:

“What does this make me think about my practice?”

That is where its real value lies.

The second edition gives today’s early years trainees an even stronger resource, bringing together current thinking about babies, development, pedagogy, digital experiences, sustainability and the journey into Reception and beyond.

For anyone preparing to work in the early years, Birth to 5 Matters is a resource worth reading, reflecting on and returning to throughout your training and career.